Five Pairs of Shoes You Need Right Now

Fall is upon us, which not only means football and cooler climates, but footwear and cooler clothes. Nothing finishes off an outfit like the right pair of shoes. With the right footwear you’ll be sure to put the finishing touches on all of your fall fashion trends. Remember fellas, ladies look at the whole package! You can tell a lot about a man by the shoes he wears. Below are five pairs for fall that would make me do a double-take, at the full package.

The Desert Boot. These boots are perfect for random fall heat waves; hey they’re unavoidable and can be very unfortunate, especially if you’re not wearing socks. Choose a suede pair in a sandy or brown tone, or be a little more daring and go for navy blue or burnt orange. Suede is one of my all-time favorite materials when purchasing shoes. Do yourself a favor and buy suede leather protector and immediately spray them when you get home to avoid ruining your new purchase. I love Ben Sherman’s Cleg Suede Desert Boots in Chocolate. Pair them with a flannel shirt and jean jacket, or a blazer and tailored dress pants for a unique workday look. They’re breathable, durable and able to hold up in most weather conditions, which makes them perfect for Texas.

The Leather Sneaker. This fall, you’re allowed to wear sneakers with pretty much anything. I’m a big fan of this new spin on the classic Converse high-top. Their Holiday 2014 Jack Purcell Moto Jacket Sneaker Collection is seriously awesome and clearly inspired by the leather motorcycle jacket – a timeless wardrobe staple. Made with beautiful leather and a quilted heel accent (inspired by the ribbed padding of the jacket), the sneaker was released in black/black and white/white on October 17. (See main image)

The Chelsea Boot. Trust me I get it. You’re from Texas, you “should” wear cowboy boots. I personally hate traditional cowboy boots on anyone. They’re pointy and they prevent guys from wearing fitted pants (please don’t ever, ever tuck your jeans in, dudes!) Hey, they may make you a teeny bit taller, but they just don’t do it for me. I say, make an impression and get yourself a pair of dapper Chelsea dress boots. The style is timeless and honestly, it makes you look like a 60s rockstar. From conference rooms, to sticky bar floors, these boots are crafted for everyday wear. Pair them with dress slacks, dark blue or black jeans and forget the laces. I love Aldo’s leather “Lawrence” boot in black.

The Sporty Sneaker. New Balance’s aren’t just for dads anymore. The brand has been killing it recently the past few seasons by creating new versions of its classic sneaker. I can’t get enough of the 565 Retro Sneaker (there also are similar styles for the ladies) and I dig it in navy blue and orange. These shoes look sporty, but in a put-together kind of way. Pair them with your favorite denim or fitted, cropped dress pants.

The Combat Boot. Think of such boots as a portal into your inner bad ass. They’re army inspired and sort of resemble the style of 90s Doc Martens; they make you look effortless and stylish at the same time. They will last year-round through rain, snow, sleet or whatever else Mother Nature has in store for us this winter. I love H&M’s inexpensive (and leather-free) version of the army boot. My favorite way to style a pair is slightly undone, with the laces loose and your jeans carelessly half-shoved inside.